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Old and New

May 21, 2014, 5:12 pm
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Peering in through the fences and into the parking lots at both ends of Halifax today, I was rewarded with views of the old and the new.

At Halterm container terminal in the south end, this new truck had arrived by rail and hadn't been unloaded yet.


Hyduke Energy Services Inc of Edmonton, designs, builds and services all kinds of gear for well driving all around the world. They build for harsh environments including tropical and arctic.

Meanwhile in the north end at the Fairview Cove terminal this ancient Bucyrus-Erie crane sits on a float trailer.

 Bucyrus Steam Shovel Co and Erie Steam Shovel Co merged in 1923, and the name was prominent in mining, construction, dredging and other shovel type work, eventually taking over Ohio based rival Marion in 1997. Through several ups and downs, the company was bought out by Caterpillar in 2011 but still exists. The 71-B model, one of its most popular, dates from the 1950s and 1960s.

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Waterloo Fire Rescue

June 5, 2014, 5:18 pm
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Over a weekend in Waterloo, ON, I was able to see Waterloo Fire Rescue's 216 Weber Street North station in operation.

At 0700 the incoming shift does their checks on P-1, an impressive 2014 Pierce Impel PUC pumper.

Later in the morning responding to an alarm at University and King.

Responding to a MVA at University and Albert two days before, P-1 has earned its reputation as the busiest rig in Waterloo.

Also based at Weber Street:


  A-1 operates this 2003 Spartan Metro Star / General  / Rosenbauer 104 foot platform 1500/300/30F.


 The Platoon Chief is assigned this Chev Command Unit C-23.

Also responding to the University/King alarm was this (now classic) American LaFrance Eagle, dating from 2001.
The 1250/700/30A engine is now assigned to P-12 and is apparently a spare that was covering for another unit from a nearby station.

[All photos taken from my Samsung Galaxy 3 I-phone]
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Actros in Halifax

June 6, 2014, 6:45 pm
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Every once in a while we are treated to a big European commercial vehicle. On Tuesday it was this handsome Mercedes Actros:



Equipped with a ballast body and knuckle boom crane it is ready for business. In this case it was a multi-axle steerable platform type trailer. Note the Nova Scotia commercial plate and escort truck, meaning that it was headed out of the port precinct and onto a public street somewhere.

Fahrenholz Industrie of Bremen, Germany works closely with Mills Heavy Hauling of Halifax and M+J Total Transport+Rigging Inc of Caledon East, ON to carry out major heavy loads all over Canada.

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Doors Open at Station 2

June 7, 2014, 7:03 pm
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As part of a City wide program to throw open the doors of  buildings not often accessible to the public, Halifax Fire and Emergency Services welcomed the public (in droves) to the HRM's oldest fire station.
Number 2 station on University Avenue is my neighbourhood station, so I was among the many visitors this morning.
In the centre bay is the usual duty engine, 11-528E a Carl Thibault/ Spartan Metro Star 150/500.

 In the east bay, to the left, is a spare engine brought in for the kids to crawl on over and through. It is 97-109E a Superior 1250/500/25F.

In the west bay, the perennial favourite 34-04A, now classed as a parade vehicle, the 1934 Bickle 1000 usgpm pumper, named the Queen.
Named for its marathon pumping duties at the March 1939 Queen Hotel fire that killed 21 people, the unit was based at the Bedford Row fire hall (the building is now McKelvies restaurant). All Halifax fire apparatus was called out to that fire, which was only a block away from Bedford Row.
The original purchase, at $14,000, in a very questionable tendering process, saw the Bickle Fire Engine Co of Woodstock, ON beat out LaFrance and Seagrave (also with bids of $14,000) and Leyland (at $14,517). A 1,000 Imperial gallon pumping capacity  would have cost an additional $1,000 according to old City Council minutes.Complaints about the truck's heavy steering must have been resolved for it eventually entered front line service after several years relegated to third alarm status only, with no assigned driver.

Tracing its founding to 1754, the Halifax fire service is the oldest in Canada. Among its archival properties is this had drawn engine, also on display at Station No.2 .


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Routemasters are back

June 10, 2014, 4:57 am
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Now that tourist season is upon us once more, Halifax's fleet of AEC Routemaster double decker buses are back in service. Known as the Big Pink fleet, most of the buses are painted in vivid pink in support of breast cancer research and awareness. Nevertheless they do take on banner advertising -

 
Before the Big Pink scheme was adopted RML 2578 was completely covered with a blue restaurant ad. It has now had the top painted pink, retaining the blue below.
Although the buses retain their back doors, they have had new doors added on the right side to make entering and exiting safer.
[RML signifies the long wheelbases Routemaster variant]

For more on this bus see a previous posting from 2010:
http://truckfax.blogspot.ca/2010/10/rml-2578.html
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Heavies in the port

June 10, 2014, 1:59 pm
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There was a lot of heavy truck activity in the port today, with several trucks exiting the secured area in close succession - just at rush hour!

This International runs for Titan, and wears Saskatchewan plates. Its Lode-King trailer is carrying nested crane boom sections. There have been several of these loads recently as a large crane came in from Europe. Other components have gone out by rail.


Phillips Bros. Excavating of Moncton, NB was ferrying excavators for export. Both their Western Star and Kenworth had their tag axles lifted for the return trip.Both trailers are four axle, which are still fairly rare in these parts.

As usual Bellemare's Kenworths brighten up the road. This one is carrying its dolly on the trailer for the dead-head run back to Quebec.He was accelerating pretty well when I took this, with a little bit of torque dip and some good wheel spray - surfs up!

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HRM - new Quint

June 26, 2014, 6:44 am
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Halifax Regional Fire + Emergency Services has taken delivery of a new Pierce Quint 14-558Q.
Spotted yesterday outside Station 5 on Bayers Road, the crews were just beginning to equip it, so all the compartment doors were open.


It should be in service soon, so I will hope for a better picture in the near future.

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COEs rule the road

June 26, 2014, 5:43 pm
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After week in Germany, where I saw only one truck with a "bonnet" - that is engine ahead of cab (and it was a Dodge Ram pickup!) -it did feel a little bit like a time warp, when COEs ruled the road in North America.
Here's a sampling of the various makes I saw last week:



 Scania, DAF, Volvo. MAN and Mercedes of all ages, but all COE.

On  arrival home I was pleased to see another Freightliner COE on Canadian soil:

Canam Steel from Quebec has a fleet of FLiners, there were three in Halifax on Wednesday, all with long loads of structural steel.
Longtime users of COEs to get more length, Canam and others have been able to purchase Freightliner COEs, new, as glider kits. As long as they could rebuild on older drive trains, Freightliner would sell new COE gliders to them. This was never publicized very much, but several owners that haul oversize and extra long loads have been buying these gliders and building them up over the past several years. Apparently Freightliner has now got the message and may be putting them into more regular production.The have been building RHD COEs for Australia and New Zealand all along, so the cabs were never really out of production.


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Quebec Road Trip

July 3, 2014, 4:28 pm
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My first Quebec road trip this year turned up a few interesting trucks - but I have to say not as many as usual.

No road trip would be complete with a visit to the Suspensions Simard plant at Baie St-Paul, and as usual I was rewarded with some interesting stuff.Adding extra axles is where Simard got its start and there were several of those in the yard:

Interesting sleepered KW with an added steering axle and fifth wheel, so it is bound for a heavy hauler somewhere. I hope he has a custom paint job planned - the refrigerator white doesn't do it for me.

Mack with lift axle has several possibilities.

Simard's yard was chock-a-block with Peterbilts, all fitted out with McNeilus read-mix drums and painted for Lafarge. Despite Lafarge's recently announced merger with Holcim (to form LafargeHolcim in mid-2015) which will force the new company sell off about 18% of its assets worldwide to avoid monopoly problems, they are still investing in transit mixers.

The finished product is an impressive truck - note the exhaust pipe on the driver's side only.

 Out of the shop, but before the fenders are fitted.

 Ex factory in 4 axle configuration - they look a bit odd, and perhaps sagging in the middle!.

I didn't count, but there must have been a dozen in the yard. There is apparently some sort of exhaust crossover behind the cab, maybe where two pipes combine, or the one pipe is rerouted. Also the PTO for the drum must be behind the cab, since there is no bumper extension.

Quebec is still wood country, and there were chips on the move:

It is also moose country, and Marcel Dufour's Volvo is well equipped to fend one off. His 4 axle Fericar trailer is typical of the chip haulers on Quebec roads.

 This Pete running for Deno had B-train trailers stacked with lumber from Boisaco. The chromed sleeper door was a nice touch.

Quebec is also snow country and I did spot some mean snow machines.
This International Paystar 5000 survived a fire that destroyed a couple of other trucks and payloaders. Rain hasn't washed all the soot off yet, and the cab is still full of old smoke. It would make a great project for someone, but may be beyond economical repair.

Veteran Autocar may have escaped the fire or been brought in afterwards as a replacement. Both are operated by Abel Harvey of La Malbaie.

More later.........

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German Coaches

July 4, 2014, 5:40 am
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My little trip to Germany a few weeks ago gave a few opportunities to check out local buses and coaches. As usual, there were many brands and types.

Ubiquitous M.A.N. open top tour buses are everywhere in Europe. This one had its tent roof rolled forward. When extended over the seats, it does not allow standing room!


A pair of Neoplans, although they appear to be the same model, look quite different when painted in company colours.





 Big Volvo with air lift axle. The grill looks like if comes from a Volvo car.


There are lots of Mercedes coaches on the road in Germany of course. Most had lowering capability, with the whole front end lowering and raising by air control. The drivers position had some 'wood' trim, but was otherwise pretty business-like.

This rig boats a Bistro on the ground floor. Upstairs, it is aircraft type seating.
 
Another one with refreshment facilities. The potential of 15 pedaling beer drinkers (not on aircraft seats), would give it some speed, but then how would the bar tender find time to steer? The steering wheel is forward between the two A-pillars supporting the roof.

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The COE

July 6, 2014, 6:14 pm
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I have been asked why COEs virtually disappeared from North American roads. The flip side of course is why is that all you see on European roads.

There are three answers to the first question:

1. Length laws. North American truck length laws were changed to allow for longer trailers, including the 40 foot and plus shipping containers. With the old laws, COEs, with their shorter cab length could squeeze a few extra feet into the load carrying section of a semi-trailer truck combination. BBC or Bumper to Back of Cab dimensions were all important when the restrictive length laws were in place. Generally the shorter COEs also allowed room for a sleeper, which the longer wheelbase conventionals could not under the old laws., without sacrificing cargo capacity. Freightliner COEs were built of aluminum, and thus allowed for a greater payload. However weight laws changed too, so that edge was mostly lost.

2. Safety. With several feet of engine ahead of the cab, a conventional is inherently safer in a head on collision.

3. Comfort. COEs have what is called the dog house, which is in fact the engine compartment, projecting up into the middle of cab, leaving very little space for the driver or passenger. Also with the driver right over the front axle, the early COEs were very uncomfortable riding. However this was resolved in the later models that had excellent cab suspensions, and independently driver suspended seats. Still many COEs had a shorter wheelbase, and thus were less comfortable than the long wheelbase conventionals.

As to why Europe has COEs in abundance  - they still have restrictive length laws. You'll note how close coupled the tractors and trailers were in my recent Germany photos. They have to squeeze as much truck as they can into the overall length, and so the shortest (i.e. smallest Bumper to Back of Cab dimension) means the longest trailer.
Safety takes the back seat to revenue, and head on collisions still take a tremendous toll in drivers lives in Europe.

So why the small resurgence of COEs in North America?
It seems to me to be mostly a matter of taste. Some drivers still prefer the COE for its better visibility, higher eye level (in some trucks) and in some cases, easier access to the sleeper. 
Although perhaps a minor point, there is less sheet metal in a COE, and thus less weight. However with most conventionals these days wearing fiberglass tilt hoods, it may not be a factor.
Even with the new length laws, there are still length limitations. So steel haulers like CanAm and oversize carriers like Watson, can still find situations where a COE could get them in under a limitation which would otherwise require a special (costly) permit, or an escort car.

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The long and the short of it.

July 15, 2014, 3:49 pm
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Catches of the day include a very long truck:


 Bellemare's Kenworth 60156 had an extra long trailer and dolly. Although the KW did not have an extra long cab, it did have lots of sleeper packed in.

And a shorter one:
 
This Mercedes Actros 3344 looked to be was fresh off the boat. Someone obviously wants the short overall length from a COE, in a heavy duty truck. It appears to be road ready for Canada, but never driven yet.

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Famous Land Rover touches down in Halifax - again

July 17, 2014, 10:15 am
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The world traveling Vorsters from South Africa had traversed every continent, when they visited Nova Scotia a few years ago, so maybe they are retracing their steps in their unique heavily modified ex military Land Rover 2B, powered by a GMC diesel engine.
When I spotted it today around the corner form my house, I was surprised to say the least.


With standing headroom inside and high ground clearance, the rig was supposed to be as self-sustaining as possible, and able to go anywhere a four wheeled vehicle could go. From what I have been able to find on the internet, they seem to have been able to do this despite several incidents.

The web site  I have found seems to be out of date, but is well worth a visit.

See http://www.overlandhb.co.za/

If I learn more I will update.
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COEs revisited

July 21, 2014, 4:34 pm
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I was kindly reminded following my last posting on COEs that many European locales would be inaccessible without COEs, due to tight turnings and small spaces in many countries. That would not likely be a reason to use COEs in Canada except perhaps in some very specific cases.
So it was interesting to see this pair yesterday in northern New Brunswick: 


Running for the Packers Logistics Solutions division of Mid West Coast Canada Inc, of Stoney Creek, ON, this pair of well armoured (against moose) COEs are hauling temperature controlled goods (likely meat or produce).
Neither truck appears to be a recently delivered cab kit. But they are well maintained, possibly rebuilt, older units. Judging by the fleet numbers 721 and 723, there is likely at least a third one out there somewhere. Since Packers runs coast to across Canada and the US, it may be anywhere.
The brutal Magnum moose bars on the front don't improve the looks, and appear to block at least some of the headlight spread, but New Brunswick is moose country, so they are likely a wise investment.
Not many miles away I spotted a Kenworth COE, heading northbound - no photo was possible.

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The long and the short (again)

July 23, 2014, 5:34 am
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The longest truck I have seen in Halifax was getting ready to hit the road last evening. The area at pier 31 in the port is being used as a staging area for wind turbine components. They arrive by rail, then are transferred to trucks for the trip to the wind farm.

 Lenron of Saint John, NB, provided the Western Star tractor and the Diamond double dolly trailer.
 

The six axle rear dolly is not fully visible from this angle. A three axle semi-trailer type dolly heads up the trailer. The tractor also has a lift axle.

Meanwhile not far away on the waterfront this intriguing Kenworth had left its trailer at a camp ground, and came into town unattached.

The extended crew cab has limo type seating.

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Schwing Shift

July 27, 2014, 4:03 pm
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Three elderly Schwing concrete pumpers were spotted on the waterfront in the last few days. They are very likely headed to new owners overseas.

Nearest the camera is the usual Mack cab - the most popular for concrete pump trucks. The other two are of special interest for they are low cab forward Freightliner COEs, with set-back axle, rarely seen anymore.  Intended as competition for Mack, Autocar/Volvo and Peterbilt, all of whom had industrial type COEs, the F'liner essentially used its highway cab, including small side windows, with few other modifications.

Schwing is one of two popular concrete pump manufacturers. The other one is Putzmeister, which seems to be in lead, at least in Halifax. Here a few recent sightings.
 Giant Mack /Putzmeister requires a special permit to travel on public roads, so is only used on special jobs.

 Quality Concrete uses this light weight Freightliner for small jobs or in tight spaces, since it stabilizer legs do not have to extend very far.

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This Mack can block most of a street, since it takes two transit mixers to keep its pump going.

Macks are by far the most popular chassis for pumpers.

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Give me air

July 28, 2014, 6:11 am
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The charm of London doubledeckers apparently wears a little thin on hot days, when their lack of air conditioning makes an upstairs ride a bit challenging - particularly for visitors from another planet. Fortunately the rear escape window folds down for some additional oxygen.



Routemaster RML 2316 (plate number CUV 316) is one of Ambassatours Halifax "Big Pink" fleet of double deckers. It was delivered new in Ocotober 1965.

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World touring Merc

July 28, 2014, 6:20 am
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German photographer Norbert Guthier uses this Merc to tour the world. The sleek camper is devoid of the usual maps and graffiti found on many of the globetrotters.


It is also in good condition in view of the many remote spots her has visited.

Caution: Those who go to the owners website may be shocked by some of his subject matter - don't say I didn't warn you. (That is why I am not providing a direct link).

 
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I say it's an Autocar

July 28, 2014, 7:34 am
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Always on the look out for my favourite truck - Autocar, I have had to backtrack a bit on my previous stance. The true Autocar disappeared in 1987 after Volvo stopped building the distinctive truck and applied the brand name to Volvo-Whites. To purists (as I was) that was the end of the line.
I now acknowledge the 1987 to 2000 era (when Volvo stopped using the brand name) as part of Autocar, even if that infuriates purists. Those late era trucks were hardier than the standard range of Volvos, even though there is a real debate over whether they lived up to the rugged reputation of 'real' Autocars.
This morning I spotted this dumper at work. It is devoid of any markings that would indicate whether it was built as an Autocar or a Volvo or more likely a White/GMC, but since I like the looks of it, I am declaring it an honorary Autocar.


Speaking of out of production brands, there are still lots of Sterlings on the road, even though Daimler Trucks North America stopped building them in Canada in 2009.


I guess when there are no more Autocars, except in museums, I will have to keep alert for Sterlings.

 
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Transport MBM

July 30, 2014, 5:16 pm
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I startled the driver of this Transport MBM truck yesterday I snapped the photo of him as he was preparing to don his boiler suit. He had arrived from Quebec with an electrical device for a new building on the Halifax waterfront and was getting ready to unload.


The silver International Eagle was striking enough with its low boy trailer, but it was the company name that made me stop. Based in Brossard, QC, Transport MBM shares initials with the author this blog. What more is there to add.

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